The Peacock men's basketball team could not overcome a second-half deficit against the Truman State Bulldogs on Saturday evening in Kirksville, Mo. Upper Iowa dropped 87-76 on the road after shooting just 2-11 (18.2%) from behind the arc and 5-11 (45.5%) from the free throw line in the second half. After holding a 2-0 advantage on the first possession, UIU never led again and dropped its second consecutive game. With the loss Upper Iowa drops to 1-3 on the season, while the Bulldogs improve to 3-1 with the home-opening win.

Four Peacocks put up double-digit points on Saturday, led once again by senior Jimmy Roth. The Marion, Iowa product scored 19 points on 7-10 shooting and has now led UIU's offense in scoring each of the last three games. Jordan Hay added 15 points and 6 rebounds, while Josh Weeber chipped in 13 points off the bench including 2-5 shooting from distance. Redshirt sophomore Dennis Austin III added 10 points and a team-high 8 rebounds as well.

After a quick 2-0 lead, Truman State pushed out a quick 8-0 run heading into the first media timeout. The Peacocks tied the game at 11 at the 10:40 mark of the first half after a Luke Lenhart (6 points, 7 rebounds) three-pointer, but the home team rolled out another 8-0 run to jump out ahead once again. UIU trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half, but found success going into the locker room. The Peacocks went on a 16-8 run to close out the first half and trailed 42-39 going into halftime. Eight different Peacocks scored in the first frame, led by junior Carson Parker's nine points. UIU converted 14-31 (45.2%) from the field, including 4-6 from behind the arc. The difference for Truman State was the ability to get to the free throw line, converting 13-16 (81.3%) from the charity stripe.

The offensive success did not continue for Upper Iowa in the second half. The Peacocks stayed within nine points through the ten-minute mark, but the visitors could not close the gap because of their inability to convert from behind the arc and at the free throw line. UIU shot 15-30 (50.0%) from the field, but converted just 2-11 from behind the arc and 5-11 from the charity stripe. Truman State used hot shooting in the second frame to close out the Peacocks. The Bulldogs' largest lead was 13 in the second half as they pulled away from the visitors late in the game. TSU converted 15-25 (60.0%) from the field, and 12-16 (75.0%) from the foul line to close out the game.

Truman State got career nights from Jake Velky and Connor Erickson, who put up 24 and 21 points respectively. Cory Myers and Kyle Kanaskie each chipped in with 10 points for the home team as well.

Upper Iowa has now scored 77, 78, and 76 points in their last three games. The Peacocks, who scored over 80 points 20 times in 2015-16, will look to put up points next weekend after a little time off during the Thanksgiving holiday. UIU will travel to the St. Joseph's College Thanksgiving Tournament in Rensselaer, Ind. next Friday, Nov. 25 when they take on Grand Valley State University at 6 p.m. The Peacocks will play on Saturday, Nov. 26 either in the championship or consolation game against either the hosts St. Joseph's College or Salem International University. The time will be determined based on the Friday's outcome. Live stats will be available here.